A Probe into Reasons Why Cixi Offered Amnesty and Enlistment

In 1900, Boxer Movement sprouted in Zhili. The change of Cixi’s attitude toward the Boxers from suppression to amnesty prevented the invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces to China. The agreement has not been reached as to what made her change her attitude. The author of this paper believes there are three reasons. Firstly, Cixi hated Emperor Guangxu and foreigners. Secondly, she overestimated Boxers’ force. Thirdly, she was stimulated by the information of the so-called “New Policy”. Cixi made use of Boxers to attack Western countries not to be responsible for the country, nor to consolidate Qing Government, but only to vent her resentment.